If you are prevented from working because of an illness, pregnancy, or injury, it’s a comfort knowing that California State Disability Insurance is available. The wage-replacement benefits go a long way toward easing financial hardships, so it’s natural to want to know when and how often you will be paid on disability in California.
As you continue reading this article, you’ll learn about the benefits available for someone unable to work because of a disability in California. How often are disability benefits paid in California, and which programs are available are some topics covered. Remember that a disability advocate at Sackett and Associates can be a source of fare availability and representation when you require assistance with a disability claim through California State Disability Insurance or the Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs available through the Social Security Administration.
What is California State Disability Insurance?
California State Disability Insurance, or simply “SDI,” pays wage-replacement disability benefits when you cannot work because of a pregnancy or an illness or injury unrelated to your job. Work-related injuries or illnesses would qualify for benefits through workers’ compensation and not through SDI.
SDI benefits focus on conditions that keep you out of work for no longer than 52 weeks. If you have a long-term disability, you may be eligible for help through a long-term disability insurance plan through your employer or through a disability insurance policy that you purchased before the onset of the disabling condition.
A medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents you from engaging in work activities for at least one year or is expected to result in death may qualify you to receive Social Security disability benefits. The disability advocates at Sackett and Associates can help by reviewing the facts of your claim and determining whether it is a short-term disability that qualifies for SDI benefits or long-term and eligible for SSI or SSDI benefits through the Social Security Administration.
Medical conditions that may qualify for California SDI
A medical condition must prevent you from engaging in the regular and customary activities required of your line of work. In addition to injuries and illnesses that are not work-related, the following conditions also qualify for SDI in California:
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Elective surgery.
- Substance abuse and substance dependency treatment.
You have only 49 days from when you become disabled to file a claim for SDI benefits. If you need help filing a claim for benefits, the disability advocates and lawyers at Sackett Law can assist you.
SSD benefits for long-term disabilities
If a disability that prevents you from working is expected to be long-term, you may qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits through the Social Security Administration. SSI benefits are reserved for individuals with limited income and resources because it is a needs-based program with benefits intended to provide recipients with the funds to pay for food, shelter, and other basic needs.
SSDI benefits are reserved for individuals who have worked at jobs or through self-employment and paid into the Social Security system through taxes on their income. If you become disabled before retirement age, when you can collect Social Security retirement benefits, you may be eligible for disability benefits through SSDI.
SSDI benefits are calculated based on your earnings record. The maximum monthly benefit you can receive through retirement or SSDI is $3,627 in 2023. The average SSDI benefit in 2023 is only $1,483.
When will you be paid disability in California?
California SDI does not pay you benefits for the seven days you are disabled and unable to work. Consider using vacation time that you accrued while working to carry you through the first week when disability benefits are not available.
It can take about two weeks for the state to process an application for SDI. If your claim is approved, you will receive SDI disability benefits every two weeks for as long as you remain disabled up to a maximum of 52 weeks. Benefit payments may end sooner than the maximum disability period if your licensed healthcare professional determines that your medical condition no longer prevents you from working.
If you qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits in California, you receive benefit payments on a monthly basis. Payments are through direct deposit to an account you set up at a bank or a Direct Express Debit Mastercard.
Contact a disability lawyer for help with disability benefits in California
If you need help applying for disability benefits through California SDI or the Social Security Administration for SSI and SSDI, contact the disability lawyers at Sackett and Associates. People throughout California have relied upon our sound advice and outstanding representation in all disability claims-related matters, including Social Security disability appeals. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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